THE CIVIL SERVICE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1454, 31 May 1912, Page 6

THE CIVIL SERVICE.

WORK OF THE COMMISSION, SIMPLIFICATION OP PUBLIC ACCOUNTS. As you are await, the Government has decided to set np a Royal Commission, consisting of Messrs. W. D, Hunt, Invercargill; Peter Barr, Dunedin; and James Macintosh, Wellington. The order of reference sets out that it is expedient that inquiry shall be made into tho working of the various unclassified Departments of tho Public Service, with a, view to simplifying procedure, preventing duplication, "and generally adopting such niothods as will increase the efficiency of the service, ensure the due recognition of merit, and quicken the dispatch of business. It has been ureel that there is lined in the public interest for mora co-operation between Departments in their business relations, and bolter facilities should be given and received in order to re.novo unnecessary formality and delay, having regard to the fact that they are all engaged in State business. The purpose of the commission is simple. It is a business committee to inquire whether tho Civil Service is being carried on on business lines, much as the shareholders of a company would (expect the stnlf of a company to transact their affairs. 1 want at once to say that 110 reflection is cast upon past Governments by the appointment of such a commission; and the statements that have been made by our friends on the opposite side—that the setting up of (he commission tadtly admitted that something was wrong—has 110 justification in fact. Generally speaking, the service has continued 011 much tho same" linos as ivore laid down when the Constitution was granted, and from tho order of reference it will be seen (hat what is desired is (0 make for the modernising and bringing up lo date of the Civil Service of our country. It' is the Government's earnest desire to place our Public Service on such n f'ooliiijr that whilst it will cncourage merit and industry, and a ' so S' vo adequate reward for tho best ability, we will provide a service that meets the requirements of our progressive and democratic country. Toe commission, therefore, may he regarded perhaps as one which has lo review tho situation, realising, as wo all must do, that the functions of Government have widened and that many responsibilities are undertaken of a commercial, humanitarian, and social nature undreamt of under previous method;. I am sure, from the personnel of the commission, that good work will be done-a wart ths» benefit of which will be no whit the less because it is absolutely free from all inilitlcal colour. The commissioners sire <ume i.f the iiuisi callable men in the tin.iiuM.il. aduariil, and business world, and are tif verv high standing personally ami professionally. Anolhei point-ami an important point—is thai the commission will deal with the simplification of public a Mounts, ft lia.i been >iid over and over again that our accounts are prepared in so intricate and complicated

a, form that nolndy but a highly skilled accountant tin pretend to understand them. Tiie tiiivvrniiicnt tees no reason why they should not be prepared in a form which can be understood by every man of ordinary intelligence; aiid it is with tin; intention that, something will be accomplished on these lines that !!io questi-an of tho simplification of Illy pub. Lie accounts ha:: been included in the order of reference.